Description:

Autonomys Network, in collaboration with the Subspace Foundation, is seeking a Senior Cryptography Researcher for an open research effort focused on designing a permissionless unbounded sharding protocol.
The primary research objective is to design a permissionless sharding protocol that extends the Proof-of-Archival-Storage (PoAS) while maintaining its permissionless property and ideally achieving shared security across an unbounded number of shards.
This work builds upon the Subspace v2 (Dilithium) consensus, which has been developed over several years and launched as Autonomys Network.
The role is open-ended with clear milestones, focusing on extending the PoAS consensus protocol.
There is flexibility in how the work is structured, with a preference for a full-time contract but openness to part-time commitments for the right candidate.
Initial tasks include proposing a candidate design of a permissionless sharding protocol with PoAS consensus within one month, advancing to implementation prototyping within three months, and completing a formalized design with an initial security proof within one year.

Requirements:

Candidates must have strong expertise in permissionless consensus protocols (such as Proof-of-Work and Proof-of-Space) and large-scale distributed systems like public blockchains.
Familiarity with the current landscape of blockchain sharding designs and blockchain protocols is essential.
Candidates should demonstrate high agency in solving complex problems, proposing alternatives, and developing novel solutions with minimal to no oversight.
Strong communication skills are required, including responsiveness in asynchronous communications, timely updates about progress and roadblocks, and the ability to explain complex topics in an approachable manner.
A result-oriented mindset is necessary, as opposed to a process-oriented approach.
The ability to formalize and evaluate properties of cryptographic protocols is required.
Candidates should have the capability to author research articles and papers.

The position offers the opportunity to work on cutting-edge research in blockchain technology and cryptography.
There is flexibility in work structure, allowing for full-time or part-time commitments based on the candidate's preference.
The role provides a chance to contribute to significant advancements in permissionless blockchain consensus protocols and distributed systems.
Candidates will have the opportunity to collaborate with leading experts in the field and contribute to an open research effort.